Warm Spiced Granola – Laced with vanilla and a cozy spice blend, this homemade granola smells and tastes AMAZING. (Gluten-Free + Vegan)

Have you ever heard of that house-selling trick where you bake a batch of cookies before someone comes over for a showing so your house smells really good and people feel at home there?

I’m here to tell you that granola does the same kind of thing.

I used to do this all the time when we had in-home visits and appointments (remember when people came over?). In the scurry of speed-cleaning the living room and kitchen, I’d pop a quick batch of granola in the oven and the house would smell AMAZING. For HOURS.

Even these days when no one’s coming over (and our house isn’t for sale), I love giving my house that little cozy gift. A batch of granola only takes 5-10 minutes to mix up and pop in the oven, and the sweet smell floats around the house for ages. Plus, then you have a yummy breakfast/snack to enjoy at the end!

Today’s recipe is a warm spiced granola that will make your breakfast dreams come true. Laced with vanilla and my delicious blend of spices, this yummy granola will taste even better than it smells. Which is saying something.

Here’s what you need to get started…

HERE’S WHAT GOES INTO MY WARM-SPICED GRANOLA.

ROLLED OATS (GLUTEN-FREE, AS NEEDED). Rolled oats form the base of this spiced granola. They’re hearty, whole-grain, and provide the perfect backdrop for all the lovely spices!

SHAVED COCONUT. I used shaved coconut in my warm spiced granola recipe because the larger pieces toast to a lovely golden color and add a little variety. (Don’t be confused with shredded coconut, which is finer and will cook much faster.)

SLICED ALMONDS + PUMPKIN SEEDS. For a little crunch, I love adding a mix of sliced almonds and pumpkin seeds. Sliced almonds will toast just like the shaved coconut, and the pumpkin seeds add a pop of color and flavor that’s delightful in homemade granola.

CHIA SEEDS. Chia seeds add a tiny little crunch that’s fabulous, and they can help the mixture stick together a bit more. If you don’t have them or like them, feel free to leave them out! Or, swap in hemp hearts or ground flax instead.

VANILLA + WARM SPICES. Here’s where the flavor magic happens. For my warm spiced granola, I use a combination of vanilla extract, ground cardamom, cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of salt. It’s INCREDIBLE. It almost reminds me of chai spice, and the flavor is unforgettable. So good.

AVOCADO OIL + PURE MAPLE SYRUP. To help the mixture stick together and distribute the flavor, I add avocado oil and pure maple syrup to my spiced granola. I love that this granola is sweet, but not TOO sweet. (Know what I mean?)

5 YUMMY WAYS TO EAT THIS WARM SPICED GRANOLA

IN A BOWL WITH MILK. Basic, easy, classic. Pour a little warm spiced granola into a bowl and pour over some cold almond milk (or whatever you love!). Add a few fresh berries or some sliced banana, if you want!

SPRINKLED OVER YOGURT OR SMOOTHIE BOWLS. My favorite! I love adding a little crunch to yogurt bowls or smoothie bowls. Fresh fruit + yogurt or smoothie + granola = a delicious breakfast or snack!

ADDED TO PARFAITS OR CHIA PUDDING. Or, add that granola crunch to a fruit + yogurt parfait or on top of your favorite chia pudding. (I think it’s amazing on coconut chia pudding or blueberry chia pudding!)

BY THE HANDFUL LIKE TRAIL MIX! Keep things simple and just enjoy a handful like a trail mix for an afternoon snack. It’s got great flavor and pairs nicely with a fresh piece of fruit.

AS A TOPPING FOR APPLE NACHOS. Speaking of snacks + fresh fruit, my apple nachos are great with a little granola as a topping! This flavor of granola is dynamite with apples, peanut or almond butter, and other goodies!

FAQ + TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE BEST SPICED GRANOLA.

HOW TO GET CLUSTERS IN HOMEMADE GRANOLA. If you’re a fan of big clusters in your granola, you can help things along by packing the granola tightly together with a spatula right when it comes out of the oven. It’ll sit together while it cools and set into bigger clusters. Or, you can mix in an egg white along with the avocado oil + syrup (not vegan). Egg white doesn’t add flavor, but it *does* help create clusters!

PRO TIP: TRY USING A SILICONE MAT! I recommend lining your baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat so that your granola doesn’t stick to the pan. I love silicone mats because they’re reusable (yay!), and work great in applications like this! (You can also use them for cookies, toasting nuts, and so much more!)

GLUTEN-FREE? READ THIS! If you’re gluten intolerant, be sure you’re buying certified gluten-free oats to avoid cross-contamination. We like Bob’s Red Mill, Thrive Market, One Degree, and Trader Joe’s brands.

WHAT’S CARDAMOM? DO I HAVE TO USE IT? If you’ve never bought cardamom before, I promise you it’s worth it, even just for this recipe. (Though I have lots of recipes that use it from Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, to Spiced Pear Sauce, to Pumpkin Cake, and so much more.) It’s warming and bright and just different enough to leave you wanting more. I highly recommend it for this recipe. If you’re nervous, look for it in a bulk spice section at stores like Sprouts, where you can buy just the amount you need for the recipe before getting a whole bottle.

HOW LONG WILL HOMEMADE GRANOLA STAY FRESH? A batch of my warm spiced granola will keep fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 weeks.

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HELPFUL TOOLS + INGREDIENTS FOR THIS SPICED GRANOLA RECIPE: